International Airport Rarotonga - A childhood dream come true

Kia Orana !!!

What are the odds for a French-German 3.5 year old boy to sit on the equivalent of the Air Force One of the Cooks Islands? 

We really are on the tarmac of Rarotonga International Airport !!! How more beautiful could it get?

There are places on earth where unthinkable opportunities are possible. And one of those places is the Cook Islands, where we conveniently happen to live. Or have chosen to live.

Keanui, Yann & Noah - That's how exciting it was!

Yann started pre-school this term, only 2 months ago. He's already learnt songs in English and Maori, can dig holes with a proper sit-on digger and paint "very nice open rainbows", which I am sure are very beautiful! He loves being challenged, learning new things and playing with his friends.

A boy's dream: trucks, planes and friends. Done!


At only 3.5, he has traveled three times around the world and the first stamp in his passport is from One Foot Island on Aitutaki, Cook Islands. So it goes without saying that he loves planes and airports! When Aunty Steph, the awesome principal of Black Rock Apii Potiki told her 45 little students that they would go on a field trip to the Rarotonga airport, Yann was naturally over-excited. I must say that I was just as well looking forward to this golden opportunity.

The whole of Black Rock Apii Potiki singing while waiting for the visits at Rarotonga International Airport


Finally comes the day that kids, teachers and parents all jump onto one bus for a 5-minute ride from the school to the airport. In true school-trip style, everyone started singing in unison... "The wheels on the bus go round and round..." A big Meitaki Ma'ata to Cook's Island Bus Passenger Transport for providing a bus and a driver (of course, one of Yann's girlfriend's dad - small island) free of charge!!! 

Casual bus ride - local style - singing to "The Wheels on the Bus..."
I am as excited to discover his little world than he is to start discovering the opportunities of the Big World!

Arriving at the airport the large group of over 60 people separated into 3 groups to visit 3 different areas: the Air Rarotonga hangar, security check and the fire engine department. The kids knew who their teacher was so parents only had to follow their children to join a group: Aunty Rima, Aunty Tai or Aunty Elliott.

Aunty Rima's group - really well-behaved pre-schooler despite the excitment of the day!

Aunty Tai's group - all a bit puzzled - are wegoing on the plane now?
 
Aunty Elliot's group - by their superhero wall at pre-school!

We started with the Air Rarotonga hangar - impressive. Kids were shown the one and only jet in the country and were even allowed to sit in it! Just like the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands!!! (more to come in the next story...). Another big Meitaki Ma'ata to Air Rarotonga and their staff for being patient with our little ones. They loved discovering your world!

Checking the little storage area for baggage. Only allowed one 10kg carry-on per person when flying the jet!
 
Is this really where the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands sits when he travels to the outer islands??? YES IT IS!!!

We then moved onto the security area. We all had to empty our pockets and walk through the metal detector while our belongings were scanned. The curious pre-schoolers were amazed by the funny X-ray images showing on the screen! 

We have all made it through the metal detector, now let's check what is in our bags on the screen of the X-ray machine!
 
Last but not least, the fire engine department! Before the fire brigade could talk about safety and fire, the kids were proud to show what they already knew, in the mean of a song. With rimes and mimes, the song talks about what to do in case of smoke alarm beeping, smoke in the house or fire. "Get out, stay out, well done"!!! 

Wow, is this a real fire engine? YES IT IS!!!
 
The highlight of the day would have been for most the chance to hold the water hose! Excitement for the kids and refreshment for the adults! It was such a hot day!!! One more Meitaki Ma'ata to the Cook Islands Airport for allowing us to visit your place of work. It was fantastic! 

Highlight of the day - action the water hose!!!

Fire engine in full action! Fresh water feels so good on such a hot and beautiful day in Paradise!


Back on the bus, everyone was hot and hungry but so happy!!! Time for lunch and that's a wrap...

Well deserved lunch for children... and adults!

One final MEITAKI MA'ATA to Aunty Steph, Aunty Rima, Aunty Tai, Aunty Elliott and the other parents for such a fun, educational and extraordinary day! 

Jumping out of Cook's Island Bus Passenger Transport Ltd - what a day!

Now, how many firemen, security staff and pilots are we going to have? Rendezvous in 20 years!

We might have an engineer?
 

Comments

  1. Unknown11 October 2018 at 20:49

    Awesome blog guys!, The Cook Islands is a stunning place! Looks like you settled into the lifestyle easily. I lived on Raro for 3 years when I was a child, actually we stayed in the Rarotongan Hotel on its opening night :) Can you tell me, is there an entrance into the lagoon on Manihiki? Could a 8m wide trimaran that is only 900mm deep in the water get into the lagoon?
    Cheers Trevor

    ReplyDelete

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